A Pretty Satisfied Freshman

03/08/2016

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
1 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

We have gotten more security alerts this semester, and a couple incidents have actually happened on our campus. But considering the fact that a not so great neighborhood is not too far away and that we are in a city environment, I feel pretty safe here. You just have to be smart.

Greek Life

I definitely recommend Greek Life. I think that it makes up for the social scene that kind of lacks here. It is great with helping you get more involved on campus and meeting some pretty cool people.

Great for these types of students

Serious about academics and are okay with finding their own fun.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

You will often here sophomores complain about the elephant stairs that lead to the top of the hill in the South Residential Village.

What to do for fun

Use your RTA pass (we pay for it, afterall!) and go downtown to Tower City and see a movie! Or to playhouse square. Or go to Little Italy and challenge yourself to find the best pizza. UPB often offers discount tickets to see Cavs games. The cultural organizations and fraternities/sororities often hold events that are worth going to. There are also your typical college parties, if you're into that, but this is Case, so don't expect anything too crazy.

Food and Dining

The dining hall food can get pretty boring and repetitive, especially if you are health conscious, but I would say it is definitely better compared to other schools. Fortunately, there are now more movable meals swipes per week that you can use at on campus locations such as the Jolly Scholar, the places in Tink (a mini food court), and the Den (our little version of Denny's) . More establishments that are off campus (such as Panera, Chipotle, Valentino's Pizza, and Kenko's) are starting to utilize case cash and are making an appearance on tapingo (an app where you can order food), and many of them are in Uptown/Little Italy and quite a few of them also deliver. The Den is the only place on campus that stays open late though and the food is pretty greasy. All in all, things are definitely improving.

Dorm Life

The freshmen dorms all look the same on the outside (my friends and I have lovingly called them nondescript government buildings). The ones that are known for having really nice common rooms and kitchens are Taft/Taplin/Smith. I only have experience with living in the quad style dorms, which are kind of nice because you can rush to the bathroom without having to walk out into a heavily traveled hallway. Some dorms are known for being pretty loud and others are more quiet. The same goes with floors. The bathrooms get cleaned everyday during the week, which is nice, but if you have really messy floor mates you will wish that they were cleaned on the weekend as well. Drinking definitely goes on in some of the dorms, as some RA's just don't care as much as others do.

Academic Rigor

The academics here get progressively harder as the semester picks up and many of the professors expect a lot from their students. This may seem great, but when you are just taking a 101 class so that you can explore new topics, it can get a bit overwhelming. Overall, I definitely feel like I am getting a good education.

Tips for prospective students

A lot of students who go into Case planning on doing engineering end up switching to another major by the time they graduate, so make sure that you are prepared for that possibility. And if you want to major in the social sciences and humanities, make sure that you do your research. Do not come here if you want a school that has a lot of spirit from the student body--and I'm not just talking about sports (the stands during football and basketball games tend to be fairly empty). There is a lack of pride among the undergraduates for being a student at this university. A lot of the undergraduates like to complain and you will hear a lot of talk about wanting to transfer. If you want to get the most out of your college experience at Case, you definitely can't expect it to come to you--you are going to have to put the work in.

In three sentences

A top research university situated in University Circle, which is a big medical and cultural hub with University Hospitals being practically on campus, and Severance Hall, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and the Museum of Natural History nearby. It is an academically challenging school that unfortunately lacks school spirit from the student body. Great for those who are interested in the sciences.

Chris from Orlando, FL

12/10/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
2 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Safety is taken seriously here and even though CWRU is in a city, there really isn't much of a fear here. There is always a SafeRide available to give you a ride home if need be and there are shuttles called Greenies (though they not actually green) that run until 2 am and will take you back to your residential side. There are a few alerts here and there, but they are usually off campus and nothing too serious.

Greek Life

Greek life at CWRU is one of the best in the nation, as noted by College Niche, and I can see why. Greek life here do so much community service and really try to live by their values and ritual. At CWRU, you won't find the same Greek life atmosphere as you would with some state universities. Here, chapters try to live by the codes of honors and morals their original organizations were founded upon. Parties are a thing here and they can be fun but they are nowhere near as crazy as something you would see on 'Animal House.' About 40 percent of the student body is Greek but Greeks and non-Greeks get along just fine. There isn't any animosity between the two or even a split divide as to where you can tell who is Greek and who isn't.

Clubs and Activities

CWRU has so many clubs so there is one for you if you are interested. There are a lot of Club and IM sports here, as well as Varsity. Although we are D-3 in sports, our teams are still pretty good and the athletes really do seem to love their teams.

Great for these types of students

Driven students who really want a career in the STEM field or want to go to medical school. There are students majoring in the humanities and those who want to go to law school but as a current humanities student, I wouldn't recommend this school if you have some other options. There just isn't much love for the humanities here and many of your fellow classmates may look down on you for it since this school is so widely popular for its Engineering and STEM programs. However, if you are a humanities student coming here, there is a place for you. You will find that the professors in this part of the school are amazing and your fellow classmates are really helpful.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Thwing Tuesdays are the best! They are held every Tuesday in the Thwing Center from 12-1 and there you can get free food and do stuff like stuffing your own teddy bear, signing up to see movies before their release or taking polaroids with props.

Bang for the buck

Case is pretty great with their financial aid and really do strive to help out, but you may need to try harder for it as the years go on. As long as you try, you will be helped in any way they can.

What to do for fun

Any events going on around campus! Clubs have a lot of events with free food or are held for a small price but can be a pretty great event.

Food and Dining

The food is pretty good. They have a home table that switches the menu every meal and they have different soups every day as well as stir-fry, tacos, burgers and a whole other assortment of foods. It does get old after a while but what doesn't? It's pretty good compared to other schools.

Dorm Life

The dorms are pretty nice for Freshman, the ones for Sophomore not so much but the Junior and Senior dorms are gorgeous. The freshman dorms are great for making friends and even help academics seeing as most of your neighbors are bound to have a class with you. Common rooms are the place to be!

Academic Rigor

This school is definitely challenging. It's no walk in the park but doable if you put the work in.

Tips for prospective students

Extracurriculars are really great to have, as well as excellent test scores. However, adding unique qualities to your application is really appreciated as well as mentioning that you are the first to go to college.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a wonderful school, especially for those interested in the STEM fields. It's the perfect size for seeing a friendly face wherever you go but never knowing everyone in the room.

Maria from Cleveland, OH

07/27/2015

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
3 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Even though campus is close to East Cleveland, notorious for being an extremely dangerous city, University Circle has minimal crime. We have a few cell phone and bike thefts here and there, but I imagine it's no more than anywhere else. Case Security issues out warnings via email and text if there's a safety concern, and we even have an Android/iPhone app for security purposes. From evening until early morning, Safe Ride is running, which is a program where security officers drive vans and pick up students and drop them off at their destinations anywhere on campus or nearby. So if it's dark and you're alone and need to get somewhere, that is an option. Don't count on Safe Ride if you're in a rush though; sometimes they take five minutes, and sometimes they take 45. Overall, security and the campus as a whole take a lot of precautions to make sure students are safe.

Greek Life

CWRU was recently rated as one of the top ten Greek experiences in the nation. I've never heard of or encountered a serious case of hazing in my time here; it's taken very seriously and even minor offenses like forcing new members to wear their pins everyday often are reported. An astounding 40% of the undergraduate population is Greek, if that gives you any indication of how great it is here. Not only is greek life here an amazing social opportunity, but it's also a great way to learn how to grow academically and personally, as just about every sorority and fraternity has a mandatory scholarship plan and membership development plan. Go to Greek Carnival! If you want to join a fraternity, don't be afraid to go to a few recruitment events. For sororities, go to formal recruitment and go to informal recruitment events for the sororities that have them. Even if you decide it's not for you, no one will hold it against you if you decide not to join, and by attending the events you will have made a few new friends and connections.

Clubs and Activities

I've talked at length about campus clubs and activities, so I don't want to type anymore about that! But go ahead and google CWRU campus activities and see for yourself. Professional fraternities, club, intramural, and varsity sports, interest groups, service groups, anything. You will find it here.

Great for these types of students

Great for people who don't mind a little hard work, who are academically inclined. Ideal for those who was to pursue further education, like med school or grad school. If you're shy and want to come out of your shell a bit, become a new person, I've seen it happen time and time again on this campus. Being here really changed me and improved me, between coming out of my shell, discovering myself, and learning how to learn! It's probably just part of growing up, but I like to think I would not be the same if I had chosen to go anywhere else. And if you're LGBT+, this campus was rated as one of the most LGBT-friendly, and for good reason. You'll be welcome here.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

If you live on north side your freshman year (which you will unless you commute), you will hear a lot about The Ugly Statue. And you will be confused, because there are at least three very ugly statues on north side alone. Pro tip: THE Ugly Statue is the red and yellow one next to Sherman. There is certainly a lot of interesting architecture on campus, and you either hate it or find it very charming (I am the latter). Humans vs Zombies is a semesterly tradition for a lot of people on campus, and even if you don't want to play, it's incredibly fun to watch people in bright green headbands and arm bands chasing and shooting nerf guns at each other.

Bang for the buck

Case, as you probably know, is an EXTREMELY expensive school. A common complaint from students every year is that they hike up prices about 4% every year, which is certainly something to consider when you are considering enrolling. However, they are also extremely generous with their financial aid packages. If you do well in high school and you have great enough financial need, like me, it's likely you won't have to pay much, if anything! Many of my friends and I actually manage to get reimbursements every semester, which can go towards books, food, and campus group fees. Just keep your grades up to keep any scholarships you're given, fill out the FAFSA every year, and you will be fine. For the education and bragging rights you will be receiving, it will likely be worth it.

What to do for fun

There are tons of campus groups for all interests: music, fencing, anime club, you name it! But besides campus groups, CWRU offers its students a really awesome free access program. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, and Botanical Gardens are all on campus, and they're all free admission for students. If you are a music junkie, Severance Hall is on campus and is home to the Cleveland Orchestra, a world-renowned ensemble, and they have a student membership program where you can get really awesome seats for only $10 a few days before a show. Or, if you prefer rock and roll, I believe students also get one or two free passes to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame a year. If you're a little more athletic, both sides of campus have volleyball and basketball courts outside, south side has tennis courts, and Veale Athletic Center has racquetball, swimming, rock climbing, and indoor track, and a bunch of stuff to exercise and play. Students are also given a free RTA pass every semester they're enrolled full-time, so the entire city is in your hands!

Food and Dining

If you visited, don't be fooled by the food you were served on prospective student day. Bon Appetit claims they don't serve better food when we have prospies, but anyone who has ate at the dining halls more than once will tell you that is absolutely a lie. The food is extremely... mediocre. Not terrible, but certainly nothing to write home about. If you have dietary restrictions, you'll get even less of your money's worth. When I was on the meal plan my freshman year, I lived off of the vegetarian chili and the pasta bar in Leutner; those are actually usually pretty good! Waffles and fresh fruit at breakfast go quickly, but are worth it if you're able to get there before class.

Dorm Life

I've only lived in freshman housing and then one of the nicest Greek houses on campus, so I can't speak for the sophomore or upperclassmen housing from experience. However, what I do know is that you are paying a lot of money for some ehhhhhh housing. Freshman dorms were pretty drab. Sophomore housing is in a suite style which is nice, but the singles are horrifically small and cramped. Maintenance is pretty unreliable; I had a friend whose heat went out in January, and it took two maintenance requests, two phone calls, and finally a visit to undergraduate services to have something done about it. And if you know anything about winter in Cleveland, you don't want your heat out for ten minutes, let alone three days. However, DON'T take that as a reason not to come here or to live on campus. The way the dorms are laid out makes it so easy to socialize with friends, especially in your first year. Laundry is FREE!!! Overall a positive experience that I have loved, especially being in my Greek house. Be sure to bundle up in the winter because it is about a 15 minute walk to the main quad from north side and 10 minutes from south side.

Academic Rigor

Classes are hard, especially if you're a STEM student. I'm now going into my senior year as of writing this review, and I can count on one hand the number of classes I've taken that weren't curved. That being said, that also makes it a little bit easier to succeed. If you can avoid it, don't take more than 17 credit hours for your first semester or two. You'll thank yourself halfway through the semester, because it is a lot of work.

Tips for prospective students

If you don't know how to study yet because you never had to in high school, really try to learn how to do that. I didn't learn until my junior year, and my GPA suffered a bit from that. Don't be afraid to study, because studying is almost like a contest here! But also be sure to SLEEP; it'll make your studying more effective, you'll feel great, and everyone will be jealous if you manage to get 7 hours a night. Decide what kind of activities interest you, and when you come in, go to the student activites fair and get information from a few campus groups! I promise, there is SOMETHING here that you will enjoy.

In three sentences

Beautiful campus, awesome campus life, and a phenomenal education. If you have the merit for scholarships and can handle the Great Lakes winter, this is a great school to attend!

Paul from Sylvania, OH

Serious crimes are almost nonexistent but peoples phones are stolen off campus or late at night.

Clubs and Activities

Join Model UN it is amazing.

Bang for the buck

If you get a scholarship or significant aid yes, if not it is pricy.

What to do for fun

Study more, explore downtown, you have free access to several museums so use that as well as concerts and plays on and off campus.

Food and Dining

The food has a nice variety but is costly and can be poor at times.

Dorm Life

The Dorms are a bit more spacious then most but otherwise are your standard undergraduate dorms. Upperclassmen dorms are new and very nice but pricy.

Academic Rigor

The Academic rigor is extremely high and most students are double majors or pre-med.

Tips for prospective students

Manage your time, explore Cleveland and come to Case.

In three sentences

A very academically focused school, with both significant Greek Life and Nerd cultures. Overall, the campus is pretty, the weather leaves something to be desired and the people are nice. Coursework and Academics are excellent, almost all professors are full time and have both academic and professional experience.

Joshua from Medina, OH

04/27/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

There are eight police departments servicing the CWRU campus. There are emergency police phone lines located all around campus, and it's well lit. Safety is a priority when considering night life. And there is one of the greatest crossing guards during the day.

Clubs and Activities

There are plenty of clubs for all range of interests, and it's not that difficult to create a club if none suit you.

Great for these types of students

People with a thirst for knowledge but a hope for fun as well. Those who want to test themselves against potentially difficult classes, but are interested in an immersive and diverse experience nonetheless.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There is an Ugly Statue right near the freshman dorms. There are other ugly statues around the campus. Traditions include Hudson Relay, which is a race by the different classes with the same length as the distance between the original campus to the new one.

Bang for the buck

There may be a moment of sticker shock, but it is generally remedied by financial aid, and CWRU is a great value.

What to do for fun

University Circle abounds with museums and attractions. Little Italy is great for food and small stores. You will also have an unlimited number of trips on the RTA, which can take you into much of Greater Cleveland. Otherwise, there is always homework to do:)

Food and Dining

Bon Appetit may have a monopoly, but their food is not terrible.

Dorm Life

A word of warning: BE CAREFUL WHO YOU ROOM WITH!!!!!!

Academic Rigor

At CWRU, you have the potential for mountains of homework and studying, but by golly you will learn a lot (both academically and otherwise). Most classes are taught by people with PhDs in their respective fields (at least in the College of Arts and Sciences).

Tips for prospective students

Get involved in research. If you have work-study, use it to get a paid research position if you can. Work-Study programs take care of (I think) 60% of the expense of hiring you, so professors are much more interested in hiring. On the other hand, even without work-study, research positions abound here and getting one is all about patience and diligence. When you get to choose a SAGES First Seminar, be sure that you are actually interested in the subject. Nothing is worse than a mandatory class that you absolutely hate.

In three sentences

If you're a bit on the geeky side, but would rather enjoy yourself than spend all your time studying, Case Western is perfect for you. Our school is focused on academics, but having a thriving social life is not hard, and the friends you make here will help you through all of your quarter-life crises. Sometimes you get lost in the mire of work, but when all is said and done, this school is great.

Erin from Lockport, IL

04/05/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 of 67

Categories

Comments

Greek Life

Although a lot of students do participate in greek life it is by no means necessary in order to have a social life. There is no division on campus between greek and non-greek students. Moreover, even those students in greek life have friends in other fraternities and sororities.

Great for these types of students

Case Western is very good for Biomedical Engineering and Biology as well as any other pre-med track you may take. However, those are not the only students who would benefit by coming to Case. All of the faculty here are very high quality and therefore all of the academic programs meet high standards. In general, students at Case should be highly self-motivated students as well as passionate about what they are learning.

Bang for the buck

Although the sticker price for Case Western is quite high, it is comparable to other top schools. Moreover, Case is very generous with giving out scholarships making it a very affordable option for most of its students. Meanwhile the resources on campus and the research opportunities are up there with schools in the Ivy League. So, don't be intimidated by the cost of attendance, because first of all you most likely will not be paying that much, and secondly the benefits of Case definitely make up for the cost.

What to do for fun

Case Western is situated in an area of Cleveland known as university circle. Within University Circle there are a plethora of museums to go to, as well as the botanical gardens and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens. Downtown is just a short ride away on public transportation and there is an endless list of things to do there. On campus there are clubs for just about anything you could be interested in. So, there should be no reason not do find something fun to do at Case.

Food and Dining

There are two main dining halls on campus, one on each side of campus. There are also various other options for using meal swipes such as grab it and bag it which are two stations where you can get food on the go. Overall, the food is what you would expect of a college dining hall. It is not outstanding, but it is not horrible either. There are a large variety of options as well as options for people with dietary restrictions.

Dorm Life

The dorms here are a decent size, comparable to most other freshman dorms. There are to living styles for freshman dorms. Either the standard hallway style or what they refer to as quad style. In quad style living the floor is split into four section of rooms. Both styles have their advantages. Beyond that the residence halls are split up into four residential colleges each with its own values. The events put on for the residential college typically go along with its values. Overall residence life at Case it a very welcoming and inclusive environment.

Academic Rigor

CWRU is an academically challenging school with students who care about their learning. The classes can be tough at times, but you are never alone. The other students in your residence hall, in your class, or that you know from somewhere else are always willing to help. In addition, every teacher hosts office hours and most host some sort of review session if you need more help.

Tips for prospective students

Don't feel like you need to be involved in a million different activities in high school. Rather dedicate yourself to a select few. Also, come on a campus tour. Despite my tour being during a blizzard I was still able to recognize the beauty of the campus and feel like this was somewhere I wanted to spend my next four years.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a wonderful community to be a part of. Everyone here is passionate about something and is not afraid to pursue that passion. Furthermore, it is never hard to find help when you need, whether that be academically or for personal reasons.

Jasmine from Cleveland, OH

03/07/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

10 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

It's pretty safe around here as long as people pay attention. Every once in a while, there's a security alert. They notify the whole campus and attend to the victim/incident. They could give a greater effort in solving crimes, I think. But, honestly, I feel more unsafe because of the ice on the ground and the stairs than because of people around. The weather does get brutal, so your health may not be safe here. Oh, and our crossing guards will do everything within their power to keep you safe.

Greek Life

Currently, about 35% of campus is Greek. This is partially because the community within Greek life is very strong. Although there are parties and everything, Greek life is not about that, whatsoever. Here, it's about the values we hold, what we can give to the community, and how we can grow every single one of our members. There are many things catered toward Greek students on this campus, since there are so many, including Greek InterVarsity and an AWESOME Greek Week!

Clubs and Activities

You can find whatever you want or make it. The clubs often hold events for all of the campus community to enjoy, so even if you don't join, there's a lot to benefit from the student activities culture at Case.

Great for these types of students

People who really like to think and learn, though it may be a struggle because there are times when you will have to focus yourself so much that you're cutting off cool learning opportunities. It's also really good for people who have many opinions but are still learning how to voice them. We have plenty of people who have been well versed in this since their first two word utterance, but a lot of people grow to a point where they become leaders of orgs or just always speak up in conversations, though they never spoke up before Case. (A lot of this is through Greek life, as we have the model Greek life, with values based organizations and a very passionate community)

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are the elephant stairs, which are horribly long (I relate them to amusement parks without the fun) stairs that lead up to our top of the hill dorms and commons. We also have the Hudson Relays, a race between the classes, presided over by the president. If a class wins all 4 years, they get a steak dinner with the president.

Bang for the buck

Way too much of our buck goes into professors' research, which some people appreciate. I, however, believe that dorm life, security, the shuttles, parking, and more could be so much better if they would care a wee bit less about the research and more about the students. Alas, that's what you get from a top tier research institution.

What to do for fun

There are tons of things to do. You can keep it simple and just hang out, or you can join a club and they'll show you an awesome time. You could also explore Cleveland (alone, with a mate, with a group) and the various venues it has to offer. The random open mic nights at coffee shops, restaurants, museums, sports (depending on how invested you are), theater, and more can serve as exhilarating outings. And, believe it or not, you could have a lot of fun volunteering at different places, too. It will show you new and cool places you never would have come across otherwise.

Food and Dining

There are plenty of options, but the dining halls can get old after a while. It only makes it worse if you complain with your friends about it, because you focus on all of the negative. The cost of the meal swipes (~$15) is almost never worth it, especially at lunch places like Bag it and Grab it, but at least you have quick, accessible food during the day.

Dorm Life

Put yourself out there (whether by groups or by talking to people or sitting in the common room waiting for someone to talk to you) and find people to connect with. Otherwise, it's easy to feel left out of the dorm life. Also, in terms of freshman dorms, Smith and Taft are best (both were remodeled and Smith has the biggest rooms).

Academic Rigor

There are a few lax classes, but most classes will come at you hard and fast. You won't know what to expect, so just try to get ahead and then roll with the punches.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to work like you NEVER have before if you come here. Make it up in your mind that you won't let things like the cold or a lack of sleep keep you from doing your work. Ask someone who's been through your classes how they made it through and take their advice. But, with all advice, always consider who you are and apply accordingly. Don't read for math, if you'll learn better by doing problems, just because someone else succeeded by reading.

In three sentences

Case is a great place for people who feel the need to produce something tangible. Whether you're in the classroom or with extracurricular activities, there are many opportunities to shine. Some people get caught up in this, but it turns out alright if you find a community.

T

Greek life is a great way to meet people, make connections, and have fun.

Clubs and Activities

There is a club/organization for everybody.

Great for these types of students

Case is great for students who really care about their futures and want to succeed. Everyone here is pretty driven.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

One awesome thing about the campus is the myriad of statues around campus. Some make sense, and some you have to stare at to understand. It's pretty cool and every statue has its own history.

Bang for the buck

Worth it.

What to do for fun

There's lots to do on the campus and around Cleveland; just make sure you're involved on campus and join clubs/Greek life.Doing so definitely increases your chances of having fun.

Food and Dining

The dining halls aren't awful. Some days I really enjoy the food, and some days i don't. Overall, it's alright - and I'm pretty picky.

Dorm Life

I made some of my best friends living in the freshman dorms. Case is great for building community.

Academic Rigor

Case is a tough school, but there are so many resources to help you do well.

Tips for prospective students

If you have AP credits, your time here will be made easier. Pre-requisites for freshmen can be quite difficult, especially since you are making a tough transition. Get those first level Chemistry, Math, Physics, etc., courses out of the way if you can.

In three sentences

CWRU is a great school. Of course, it's not perfect, but one thing that really distinguishes Case is the amount of opportunities students here have. If you are interested in a school that truly cares about you, Case is the place to be.

Kassandra from Marietta, OH

College is fun! Use your imagination! Clubs, organizations, causes, friends, memories, laughs! You can have it all!

Food and Dining

I may be picky because I would consider it to be true that I live to eat rather than I eat to live. Case is contracted with a company named: Bon Appetite who serves all of the dining halls and food choices on campus. In my opinion there are too few places that a student can eat at with what is called a 'meal swipe' which is what the money spent on our dining plan goes to. There are plenty of places to eat but unfortunately must be paid for with cash or our 'Case Cash' which is just cash that we converted to Case form.

Dorm Life

Just as many things in life, it is necessary for you to climb the ranks. Freshmen dorms at Case are suitable for living in with all of the expected amenities, but unsurprisingly have their bangs and bruises. Sophomores gain a little more freedom in their choices for residency and the upperclassmen are even more pleased. The Village Houses are modeled after real apartment style living while being modern and with all of the perks, like air conditioning. Greek housing is also available!

Academic Rigor

If you learn to adequately budget your time you will not feel nearly as overwhelmed as some of your peers unfortunately will. Nothing in life worth having comes easy. Case's academics will challenge you, but for the better. The beauty of the classes here is that if you put forth the effort to, you will actually learn.

Tips for prospective students

If you are looking for a top notch education and have the will to succeed, Case is the perfect place for you!

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University can be described in short by three things I personally hold with utmost importance: respect, ambition, and a place to call home. When you just as simply mention the name of this school to people, the atmosphere of your conversation can change. Imagine what power can be associated with someone who holds a degree earned from CWRU. It is no surprise that this school is respected because of the quality of education that can be received here. One must have ambition to succeed at Case, but as your travel along your journey here you will gain even more ambition than ever thought possible. Lastly, Case Western Reserve is made up of around 5,500 undergraduate students. The campus spans beautiful parts of Cleveland, Ohio and although you can be sure to see at least 10 people you know on your walk to class, each time you attend a new event you'll be sure to see an unfamiliar face. Case is my home away from home.

Anonymous

01/06/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

13 of 67

Categories

Comments

What to do for fun

There are plenty of things offered through the University and there are quite a few clubs on campus. Greek life is prevalent, but not a do-or-die on campus. Sports aren't a huge deal on campus, but events can be fun to attend. Overall, there is a something for everyone. Even going downtown to a Cavs game or for a night out is an option.

Food and Dining

The dining halls have a variety of options with the meals changing on a daily basis, but you'll quickly get sick of the food. All the dining in campus buildings are run by the same company so the food doesn't change all that much. However, there are plenty of options in Uptown (short walk from the Quad and dorms) and a few late night options for a nice change from the dining halls. Of course, a farther trip to Little Italy or ride downtown provide even more options.

Dorm Life

The dorms aren't 5-star hotel--let alone 3--but they do the trick. The university is planning on redoing all the dorms in the near future, but for now they are the classic crappy college dorms. It is obvious they are well used, but are primarily still pretty clean and the upkeep is decent.

Academic Rigor

It is definitely challenging, but professors are enthusiastic to help. For the large lecture classes, there are help sessions run by students who have already taken the course and work with the professor to prepare and go over topics covered in lecture. Other times there may be TA's that help in smaller sections. Also, there are other resources on campus to help with classes.

Tips for prospective students

The academics are challenging, so be prepared, but what is nice is that there isn't competition among students like other top universities. There are in fact parties and there is a social scene, but you don't have to be apart of it to have a good time! There are plenty of people who would rather stay in then head out every night.

In three sentences

CWRU has become my new home, and I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else. While the academics are challenging, they aren't impossible and there are always professors and students willing to help. The social life, despite the 'nerdy' reputation Case gets, is actually pretty good; there seems to always be something going on and you'll even see familiar faces if you attend events.

Andrew from Wooster, OH

01/01/2014

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
14 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Case is patrolled by 5 local police forces, one of which is Case's own. With that said, things still happen on and around campus. General safety habits (buddy system, keeping a cell handy, using SafeRide, etc) can help maintain individual safety.

Greek Life

Greek life at Case is service based. Good networking opportunities and great social settings are available through Greek life.

Clubs and Activities

Given an RTA pass, each Case student has the ability to get to any of Cleveland's hot spots via train or bus.

Great for these types of students

This school is great for nerds, athletes, artists, social outcasts, and even the popular kids. There is a place for everyone and no one will be left out.

Bang for the buck

The services and experience make up for the large price tag. Case tends to give most students a grant or scholarship. Nevertheless, it is still on the high end of college tuition.

What to do for fun

Similarly to dining, Case has a lounge on campus and is close to many of the clubs downtown as well. The University Programming Board brings a lot of cool things to campus as well - Passion Pit, BOB, etc..

Food and Dining

Graced with good on and off campus dining, the food close and within Cleveland will provide more than enough variety for not only four years of college, but potentially a lifetime. Case has two great dining halls, a Denny's (open late), their own restaurant, a grill, quick grab-and-go options, and they are looking to expand within their new students' center. Also, Little Italy and Coventry are within walking distance, and downtown is a simple and easy bus ride away.

Dorm Life

Split into four residential colleges, Case provides first year students with a great connection to other people based on social interests. This is a great way to make friends quickly as bonding over music or cuisine seems much easier than chemistry.

Academic Rigor

The academics here are, as expected, very rigorous; however, Case offers some of the best services to students (5 hr/wk tutoring, supplemental sessions, and office hours) to allow for the best academic experience. Also, there are plenty of large areas and quaint study spaces to cram or write essays.

Tips for prospective students

Apply! It is free through the common app. Come visit and fall in love, just as I did. Plenty of current students love to brag about all of the great things Case offers and would be glad to show you around or answer any questions.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a conglomeration of the most devoted yet personable students along with some of the best educated and experienced faculty in the country. Right in the heart of University Circle (and not far from downtown Cleveland), CWRU provides more opportunity to not only go out for a night on the town, but also stay close to home and still get a great meal. Case provides a great network that employers hold in very high regards.

Student from Portland, OR

Campus is pretty safe and there are campus polices on patrol. During late hours there is SafeRide, a small van that students can ride to go back to their dorms or specific areas without walking.

Greek Life

Greek life at CWRU is pretty prominent through seeing their fundraising efforts and events across campus. Students in Greek really focus on their philanthropy and helping others and hope to raise a lot of money and awareness for various causes. Greek life at CWRU don't really face any problems. They know how to have fun and also focus on their goals.

Clubs and Activities

There are a variety of academic, volunteering, musical, and etc clubs at Case. There is definitely something already formed for everyone's interest. In case there isn't something, it's extremely easy to start your own club. Many people at CWRU are involved in clubs.

What to do for fun

There are usually events every week available. Campus-wide parties occur on Fridays and/or Saturdays. There are often cultural, club, Greek, etc events occurring all the time on weekends as well. Things are not hard to find. There are newsletters sent out weekly about events and posters/Facebook Events are everywhere. If a student wants to explore beyond campus, Cleveland has numerous world-renown museums within walking distance, and they are all free towards CWRU students. Every students is provided with a RTA (train/bus) pass every semester that allows easy transportation to the Indians game, downtown, malls (Legacy Village, Beachwood, etc) and musicales (Playhouse Square) Cleveland is a very vibrant city and there is definitely something out there for everyone.

Food and Dining

There are quite a lot of options available for students. Case Western has a meal plan that is a swipe system. Students buy how many swipes they want a semester. These swipes go towards the main dining halls (Leutner, Fribley) and also restaurants (L3, Denny's). Leutner and Fribley have quite a lot of options available. Pasta, Sitr-fry, Salas bar and Hamburger/Hot-dogs/Fries are available daily. Other stations include the home table (home-cooked food) and a station that varies daily (tacos, pho, etc). Fribley has similar items while also having unique food such as sushi. People are usually satisfied with the wide variety of food options and quality of food/taste. In case students are hungry late in the evenings and don't want to spend money, L3 and Denny's also accept meal swipes. They provide students with their midnight munchies.

Dorm Life

Freshman dorms are quite clean and of good size. Most freshman dorms are four floors with one floor coed and the others gender based. Rooms are of good size with enough room to hang out and do your homework without being confined by the space occupied by beds. During Orientation, floors get to know each other and make new friends. As school starts, there are weekly or/and monthly dorm activities/food available for people hoping to make new friends or relax. There are common areas on each floor where students can hang out during their free time. RAs (Residence Assistance) are also readily available in case of questions or concerns.

Academic Rigor

Courses are definitely difficult but it is not impossible to get an A. Bs are usually very manageable to be achieved. As long as you do your homework on time and try to constantly study and review, getting good grades shouldn't be too difficult. Majority of CWRU students are hardworking and that leads to a good atmosphere for working together on homework and getting help. There are often SIs (Student Assistants) available leading after class reviews which helps with academic success. Professors are also willing to help as long as you ask.

Tips for prospective students

Being a freshman myself, I remember coming into college hoping to have lots of fun the first semester. There are definitely opportunities to do that, but it is important to not lose focus about the main reasons for going to college and getting a college education. It's important to do readings on time and to attempt to study every day. Tests are difficult and studying just the day before will not be enough to get a good grade. Try to maintain a good study habit and not get too side-tracked by the friends in the common area, or that will lead to numerous late nights.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University really deserves a lot more credit than given. It is an extraordinary academic institution with dedicated professors, highly intelligent and goal-oriented students, and various activities and resources open to both students and staff. There is a misnomer that CWRU is a school of engineering nerds; however, this school has a very diverse community of students both in academics and in personality.

Marley from Broadview Heights, OH

Lots of student clubs and cultural events to attend around. Budget your time. Write a paper in the museum one day.

Great for these types of students

Disciplined and interested in the arts.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Be sure to take advantage of buying the discounted season ticket to Severance Hall's Cleveland Orchestra. Get it during your first couple weeks of school for the 50% discount. Also enjoy the free access to local parks/museums.

Bang for the buck

I won't know for sure until I land a job; but it is looking really good so far.

What to do for fun

Lots of activities regularly scheduled in University Circle and locally. Check out the local papers.

Food and Dining

expensive

Dorm Life

I don't live in the dorm

Academic Rigor

Tough but well worth it.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to work hard. Put yourself on a schedule and a budget and stick to it. Get to know at least a few of your classmates in case you need to compare notes on an assignment or just navigating the finer points of your experience.

In three sentences

Case Western lives up to its reputation as one of United State's top ranked schools in Social Work. The curriculum is very demanding, but equally rewarding. The contacts I am making here are invaluable and will surely last a lifetime.

Timothy from Navarre, OH

Any students with unusual interests. Hobbies like LARPing, solving Rubik's cubes, juggling, video games, etc are all seen on campus and usually have clubs of people interested in them.

What to do for fun

There are a ton of clubs on campus, and Greek life is huge. Over a third of students are Greek, and I would certainly recommend it. Hazing is nonexistent on campus so those that want to get involved in Greek life should not worry. There are a huge variety of clubs, so as long as students find out what they want to do during the first few weeks of college, they should have no problem finding their place on campus.

Food and Dining

People complain about the food here a lot, but those are the same people who get pizza and burgers every day. There's enough variety so the food doesn't get old, and there are a lot of options for those who prefer to eat healthy or vegetarian. The food isn't 5-star quality, but its a dining hall, not a fancy restaurant.

Dorm Life

Every dorm here has a different atmosphere. Some are more quiet and focused, while others always have their common rooms filled with loud and crazy students. Either way, its easy to find a place to hang out, just go to different floors to see which better suits your interests. Rooms are average quality for a college dorm.

Academic Rigor

Courses are definitely tough, but not unlike quality AP classes. More work is expected out of students since classes only meet 2-3 times a week. Workload forces students to change their habits and complete work early.

Tips for prospective students

Manage your time effectively. Start using a calendar; you will need it. Academics are the focus here, but there are many ways to have fun on campus. Getting involved is very important, it helps relieve stress and keep your motivation going.

In three sentences

If you get involved, Case has everything you would need. Classes are tough but entirely manageable. Research is common among undergraduate students.

Emily from Cleveland Heights, OH

11/08/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

18 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

I bike everywhere I go and find this one of the safest places in the city. I have been on campus at all hours of the night and never feel in danger. The school has its own police. There are buses and even vans if you ever need a ride to the other side of campus.

For people who graduated high school and want to go straight to a four year university. Not many untraditional students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Case has hundreds of traditions. Sad to say but I can probably only list a few. There is a pumpkin throwing every Halloween, Homecoming weekend is important, a campus wide service day every September or October, and the cycle club does free bike tune ups every fall, Hudson Relays, Halloween at Home, and study overs to name a few.

Bang for the buck

Case is in Cleveland one of the best cities around. Full city for half the price is the motto I live by. It truly makes Case stand out. I looked at many schools before deciding on Case. I am so glad I decided on Case. All the professors want to see the students succeed and push the students to do their best. I already have a job in my field because of Case's prestigious reputation. The engineering and medical industries respect and think highly of Case's graduates.

What to do for fun

So many: Cleveland Museum of Art, Botanical Gardens, Natural History Museum, go to concerts at Beachland Ballroom or Quicken Loans Arena, go to the Cleveland International Film Festival, explore downtown, bike, hang out on Coventry Road, go to Little Italy for lunch or dinner, play the outdoor pianos in University Circle, in the winter go sleigh riding or cross country skiing, go to a play at Playhouse Square, visit Severance Hall to see a world famous Orchestra play, gallery hop on Friday nights, shop at the historic West Side Market, walk through The Christmas Story house, and the list goes on.

Food and Dining

I do not live on campus. There are a few cafeterias open to all students. These have all been great. There is one in the medical school that has many healthy options. There are also many local affordable restaurants on campus.

Dorm Life

I can only comment on what my classmates have told me and the little I have seen in person. The northside dorms are nicer if you like more the apartment feel. The southside is closer to the normal dormitories depicted in movies, one room for two people. They have all been clean and updated appliances.

Academic Rigor

Academics are important here/ The professors expect students to strive to be the best. The student body is competitive.

Tips for prospective students

Listen in orientation and any tours you may attend. Check the school out in person.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a great private school for students who recently graduated high school. As an untraditional (27 years old) transfer student my perspective is skewed this only pertains to the social life involved in attending university. Overall the best college I have attended with dedicated professors, small classroom sizes, diverse student population, state of the art facilities, and so much more.

Pierre from Manchester

Decide what you want to pursue in the long term instead of dawdling around and choosing a major as a junior.

In three sentences

I love the Case atmosphere, the faculty & students, and most of all the opportunities that are presented to me at Cleveland. From research and hospital volunteering positions to great restaurants downtown, I am happy to say Case did not let me down.

Jamie from Cleveland, OH

There are CWRU police all over. But, as with any campus, there are places not to go around super late at night. Also, girls should be careful at some fraternity parties where there is drinking.

Clubs and Activities

So many different clubs and activities - and the clubs get a good amount of funding. My favorite (yeah, I sound like a broken record, ha ha) is Case Kung Fu. As a group we do a lot more than learn Kung Fu, we hang out, watch movies, go to laser tag, and do other events and activities as a group. It's almost like being in a fraternity/sorority, except even more welcoming and not as expensive. :P

Bang for the buck

I give the bang for the buck two stars, because you get a lot of value if you are engineering or one of the hard sciences. For anything else, it isn't necessarily that much better than any other school. As Case continues to drive up the tuition to exorbitant extremes, the value continues to go down.

What to do for fun

There are a LOT of extra curricular activities and events. I suggest the sports clubs - especially Case Kung Fu, which is one of the best, funnest, and tightest knit groups - like my second family!

Food and Dining

OK. Nothing spectacular.

Dorm Life

Dorm life is expensive, and is Okay. You have to live on campus our first two years, unless you are local. Most people can't wait to live off campus, unless they can afford to live in the Village (which are the uber expensive, but super nice dorms).

Academic Rigor

Case is definitely a school that requires work. It pulls in some of the best and brightest students - especially for engineering, CogSci, and computer science. There are tons of research and project opportunities that help you round out your resume, before you graduate.

Tips for prospective students

Go after as many scholarships as you can, because the grants and aid CWRU gives usually reduces each year - even if you keep your grades high. Also, be sure to get involved in extra curriculars - there are so many, and you miss out on the college experience by taking 18 - 21 credits every semester. You can become involved in other clubs and groups besides Greek Life, for example Case Kung Fu - which is Awesome (and makes the decision to go to CWRU the best one).

In three sentences

CWRU is an excellent research based institution, with a beautiful campus that, unfortunately, has been losing green space due to a building spree. The school is still great with excellent students and professors. It would be nice if tuition wasn't quite so ridiculously high.

Jeremy from Edinboro, PA

North side is pretty safe. You just have to be aware that you are on a dark side of Cleveland. Street smarts will get you pretty far.

Bang for the buck

You get what you pay for. I'm excited to leave with a nice job, but the price tag is high. Roughly 250,000 in the hole, and not a lot of it covered. It makes it tough to attend a school like this.

What to do for fun

Depends entirely on your interests. There's an endless amount of entertainment on campus. You just have to know where to look. The school doesn't exactly rally around any sports or events, so group activities are the extent of the fun.

Food and Dining

At times the food can get rather stale in the sense that you get tired of it. Regardless, the variety is wonderful if you're willing to try new things. Baked potatoes get old after awhile.

Dorm Life

Freshman dorm life is rough. Most freshman dorms at other colleges basically pamper incoming freshman as a means to retain them. Not CWRU! Expect more of a prison scenario for your first year.

Academic Rigor

I felt that my freshman year was exceptionally brutal. I'm sure it only gets harder from here. It's a great school if you like to push yourself.

Tips for prospective students

Rest up and study hard. CWRU is not a joke. You're going to want some smart friends for this college.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a great school if you've never been challenged before. Professors will push you to your limits while you fight to maintain a healthy balance between school, work, friends, and play. The city aspect was perfect for someone like me who lived in the country.

Hina Moon

07/23/2013

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

23 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

The have campus police, and two other types of police forces. So the campus is pretty safe but they do have occurences where someone has been stolen from. Also I hear they have a shuttle bus to take you back to your dorm at night.

Greek Life

I have not heard much about greek life, sorry.

Clubs and Activities

I havent been in any clubs yet but I went to their open house and they have many clubs to choose from.

Great for these types of students

This school is a nerdy school. So if you believe that you are a nerd you will l8ve this school. But on a serious note this school is great for engineering majors. They have co oops for engineering majors which actually have gotten previous studemts jobs straight out of college. Even if you are not an engineering major this school seems have a lot of bright students who are focused on what they want and the staff seem pretty happy to help its students.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Um well they have a stairway called the elephant steps. Each stair step takes about two to three steps. They are pretty big.

Bang for the buck

The price for this college is expensive but its worth it because it seems that it will prepare you for the business world. Also they offer many many scholarships.

What to do for fun

Well again I have heard that there are a lot of student activities that students can participate in. Kids also go to little italy as well.

Food and Dining

They have a lot of dining options. Ive ate at one of their cafeterias and it was pretty good. But ive only been there once.

Dorm Life

I have been to the dorms and the rooms are pretty small for two people. Also I have to share one restroom with all the girls on my floor. But I have not lived in the dorms so the dorm life might be better than I think.

Academic Rigor

I hear that the courseload is heavy but manageable. It is all about time management. However, I have not taken any classes yet so I cannot fully comment at the time.

Tips for prospective students

My tips are to take as many college courses as you can while im highschool. This will definitely help reduce the costs of college. Apply for all the Case Western Reserve scholarships that you are eligible for. And apply to many outside scholarships.

In three sentences

Case Western is a challenging school that offers its students many opportunities to grow. The staff want to help and see their students suceed. And many career planning options like job fairs co oop and internships are are open to freshman.

Laurel from North East, PA

1/3 or students are involved. It's a ton of fun, but you won't be pressured if you don't want to join.

Bang for the buck

Perfect. Expensive, but great academics and activities, looks great on a resume or grad school application. High employment rates and acceptance rates.

What to do for fun

You are right in Cleveland, and get to do a lot for free as a student! Parties are always happening. Go to the Botanical Gardens, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the art museum, MOCA, canoe on the Cuyahoga, walk through Rockefeller park! Go shopping at Beachwood, get ice cream at Mitchell's, watch a movie at Cedar Lee (or with your dorm).

Food and Dining

Not too bad compared to other schools, but it's pretty expensive.

Dorm Life

Dorms are decent quality, and I lucked out with the people I was with. I'm staying with them again next year! They're of average cost, I think. The village is for upperclassmen only, but it's definitely something to look forward to- absolutely gorgeous.

Academic Rigor

That's 5 stars for quality. It can sometimes be a lot, but it's never way too much. I have been balancing double majoring, clubs, and varsity sports just fine. You will be well-prepared for more education or for entering the professional world.

Tips for prospective students

Check out everything. It's not just a STEM school. It has a joint program with CIM and CIA, stellar English faculty, and a fabulous business school. Come visit, and meet with professors; they're great to talk to. If you like sports, contact the coach. In my experience, they are always willing to discuss logistics with you. Really get a feel for it.

In three sentences

CWRU may be the most underrated university. It's got Ivy League quality academics, a beautiful campus, great athletic teams, and a plethora of clubs and organizations. There's something for everyone.

Anonymous

06/16/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
26 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

As it is in Cleveland, it's not the safest place at night. However, Case security are very efficient and always there anytime you need help. They will be more than glad to escort you if you need to get somewhere, and help you at all times.

Clubs and Activities

All the clubs here are great - especially the sports clubs. They are entirely student run, and there's always at least one activity club for everyone.

What to do for fun

Cleveland is the home for the world-class Cleveland Orchestra (right on campus!) and of course, many student-run events are just as fun (because students know what they want, and will make it fun). Also, the Cleveland Museum of Art, Botanical Garden, and the Natural History Museum are all great places - and at a special discount for students!

Food and Dining

Recently Uptown just opened up (includes Panera, Jimmy Johns, Chipotle, etc.) and the dining hall really isn't that bad, but can get a little tiring after a while. On campus, there are more dining places like Subway and Jolly Scholar's, and of course, a little walk takes you to Little Italy and Coventry.

Dorm Life

Some of the freshman dorms are nicer than others, but each dorm has their own quirk and you will come to enjoy whatever they offer. If you don't, the other dorms are close enough that you can just be at another dorm until you need to sleep.

Academic Rigor

This really depends on your major and professor.

Tips for prospective students

Although you may feel tours, orientation, etc., are exhausting, I'd say they are worth the trouble. They tell you where all the good stuffs at, and that'll be the only time anyone will tell you about fun things like Improv, Speakeasy shows, etc. that will make you look forward to any weekend.

In three sentences

Awesome. Definitely has more to offer than what it seems - a great, welcoming environment as well. Classes can be difficult, but lots of help are available, and overall college life is very enjoyable.

Jessica from Parker, PA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

28 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

5 different security forces cover the campus!

Great for these types of students

I would recommend Case to over-achievers who want some friendly competition.

Bang for the buck

They go out of their way to make an education affordable. Considering it's a private school that's extremely well-ranked, my financial aid package is among the best I've received.

Food and Dining

I'm not a picky eater, but I think most people would agree the food is great. The dining hall at the North Village is very clean and spacious.

Dorm Life

There seems to be a lot of fun things to do, but the freshman dorms aren't very new or impressive.

Academic Rigor

Employers are giving full-time job offers BEFORE senior year starts. The amount of outside-the-classroom opportunities you have related to your major is phenomenal. All of the professors are experienced in their field, not just as teachers but as researchers.

In three sentences

Case is a great environment for learning with an emphasis on real work, not classwork. The campus is clean and not too noisy or crowded. The people are all extremely committed to whatever they do.

Daniel from Euclid, OH

I am a pledge for Sigma Chi and I love it. A lot of the fraternities on campus help out the community around in amazing ways. South side is almost all greek life housing.

Clubs and Activities

MANY clubs to join from. Huge diversity

Great for these types of students

Hard-working, dedicated, intelligent, responsible and self-motivated.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

The gathering of sword fighters every Saturday morning. They fake ninja fight in the common areas.

Bang for the buck

You cannot put a price on the education that you will get from CWRU. It hold a lot of merit on your resume as well. The school goes out of their way to help you out.

What to do for fun

Many clubs and surrounding night life.

Food and Dining

The food is from an amazing company practicing sustainability. The food is very good at Fribley hall, but Leutner isn't as well.

Dorm Life

I do not live on campus, but I occasionally study in dorms with friends. Dorm life is average from what I see.

Academic Rigor

Very challenging case studies that test your ability to logically think your way through situations

Tips for prospective students

Don't take the coursework lightly. Also do not get behind in any classes, as this can be devastating to your GPA. Be ready to work very hard and learn through real life assignments.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University has top notch instructors that will teach you the subject through their own life experiences. This school is big on critical thinking, and since attending here I have enhanced my ability to think my way through tough situations. The atmosphere is very friendly and accepting and I would recommend this school to anyone that is looking to get a great degree and learn valuable career skills.

Kay from Ohio

01/18/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

30 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Case has several different police forces that patrol it: campus police, Cleveland, county, and more. There are also blue lights for emergencies around campus, a campus shuttle, and a safe ride system for late at night.

Greek Life

I feel as though Greek Life is well-integrated into the rest of campus life. Individual fraternities and sororities aren't secluded from others or the general student body, and many Greek events are open to all students.

Clubs and Activities

Case, like most schools, has a club for nearly everything--or the option to start one if your interest is underrepresented! Nothing lacking here.

Great for these types of students

Case is great for students who are open-minded, love learning new things and challenging their way of thinking. Not everyone I know here I would call a nerd, but you are much better off if you like having information thrown at you everyday!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Whoever decorated campus must have a fascination with modern sculptures. One in particular near the freshman housing is referred to as The Ugly Statue. As it is art, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder I suppose.

Bang for the buck

I guess this has yet to be determined, since I have not worked a professional, post-graduation job. I do feel, however, that I am being challenged and learning new things everyday.

What to do for fun

Due to the location, there are a lot of restaurants, museums, and other interesting places to go. Many are free for students, too, which is a nice bonus. Plus, we get free public transport by bus and rapid train.

Food and Dining

Dining hall food is okay. They try to be aware of locally grown produce and food allergies but it could be much better, coming from someone with several food allergies.

Dorm Life

You have to live on campus for 2 years, which is only enjoyable if you are friends with the people you live with. Oh, and no air conditioning.

Academic Rigor

Depending on what you study, Case can be very hard or just manageable. If you want an engineering education that will kick your butt into shape for a real job this is a good choice.

Tips for prospective students

Definitely visit campus at least once before you make your decision. People's biggest complaint here is the weather! Yes, it rains in Cleveland.

In three sentences

Case is a great environment for open-minded young adults who genuinely love learning and experiencing new things.

Olivia

01/06/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

31 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

There are police everywhere, honestly, so that helps. The only CWRU police reports that come are when people walk alone at night and get mugged or when someone leaves something unattended and it was gone when they return. The area is relatively safe, but just be smart.

Greek Life

I am not in greek life but i know plenty of people that are. There are frats for partying but there are also frats for community service, so just be sure you know which one you are getting yourself into.

Clubs and Activities

I honestly cannot say how many student clubs there are. Here is a link to all of the recognized ones: http://students.case.edu/activities/involvement/organizations.html

What to do for fun

Places close to case are the museum of art, museum of natural history, little italy, coventry, severance hall, etc. You can also take the RTA Transit System to go to places that are not so close.

Food and Dining

The main dining hall for freshman, Leutner, has many different options to choose from, but whether you like it is a hit-and-miss. There is also Fribley (on other side of campus), Grab-it (lunch), and Bag-it (lunch). There are plenty of restaurants on campus that accept case cash, too.

Dorm Life

There are janitors for every residence hall, so the bathrooms/halls are kept clean as long as everyone is reasonably clean. There are quiet hours after a certain time too: and 24-hour quiet hours during finals. Most people live with a single roommate.

Academic Rigor

If you are after an engineering or medical degree, expect hard classes. Any other major, I have heard, is moderate in difficulty.

Tips for prospective students

If you have questions about the university, ask a specific professor. They will be more than happy to help and they will most likely answer the question faster than the admissions office would.

In three sentences

The campus is large and pretty-but don't plan on coming here if you do not like to walk. It takes about 20 minutes to get from one side of campus to the other. This is also a serious engineering and medical school, so the work loads for any related major will be challenging.

Richard from Twinsburg, OH

Take a campus tour and talk to some students who go here now to learn more. Talk to professors to see what it's like.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is overall a good school. It's a highly underrated school and not extremely well known outside of the area. If you are interested in science and engineering, I highly recommend you look at Case.

Joseph from Cleveland, OH

01/02/2013

Reviewer is A current student here.

33 of 67

Categories

Comments

Food and Dining

Because tuition is so high, this tends to be a school for very wealthy families. Therefore, the meal plans tend to be very expensive (around $16 per meal) because that is what wealthy families can afford to spend on every meal. Also, the rules on meal plans are very strict; it is nearly impossible to use every swipe you are forced to pay for, and absolutely every freshman and sophomore is forced to be on a meal plan.

Dorm Life

Everyone I have met here I have become instant friends with. Finally, I am free of the sort of people I was around in high school and am around people almost exactly like myself. There are some introverts, as can be expected, but they are friendly and not bothersome at all.

Academic Rigor

Case Western is a school for some of the best students in the world. Therefore, no matter your major, you always will have several assignments on your plate at any time in the semester. However, I have found it to be manageable and, of course, rewarding.

Tuopu from Cleveland, OH

12/23/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 out of 6 people found this review useful.
35 of 67

Categories

Comments

What to do for fun

Cleveland has museums, sports arenas, zoos, and a wide variety of stores to check out. Of course, the most likely mode of transportation for students is the bus, which may take some students time to become accustomed to.

Food and Dining

Case has better dining options than most other colleges; however, as the school year progresses, the staff becomes less cordial and the quality of the food slips.

Dorm Life

There are common bathrooms on each floor, with approximately 20 same-sex students sharing one on each side. This can become problematic as there are only two showers, two urinals, and two stalls. If someone is dirty, the whole floor suffers.

Academic Rigor

Depending on the courses taken at Case, they can be very difficult or extremely easy. Be aware that different teachers have different styles and be prepared to adjust at a moment's notice.

Tips for prospective students

Students should be aware that Case is a very academically oriented school. Although there are some parties, they are infrequent and not the general norm.

In three sentences

Case Western seems to be secluded from much of the daily life that can be seen in the rest of Cleveland. It puts great stress on academics, but lacks emphasis on strong extracurriculars and sports. The dormitory life is adequate, but can stand significant improvement.

Anna from Irwin, PA

12/21/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

36 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

Campus is pretty safe as long as you avoid Wade Oval and a couple other places at night. There are always campus police cars cruising around and Mark the crossing guard always ensure safe passage across the busiest road on campus.

Greek Life

I don't know much about Greek life.

Clubs and Activities

The club sports are very talented and there is a good variety of them. There is anything from ultimate frisbee to rowing. There are also a lot of student-run organizations. Case has a very involved student body. If there isn't a club out there you want to join, you can always start your own.

Great for these types of students

Case is the perfect school for students that are interested in science and research.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

When the cross country team makes Nationals like they did this year, the rest of the team and fans dress up as Spartans complete with capes, spears, and shields. Then they run around the course carrying a huge case flag, cheering for the team.

Bang for the buck

Case gives you a high quality education, but it is expensive. Luckily, they do have decent financial aid packages.

What to do for fun

Anything! Case isn't a big party school, but there are parties. There are a bunch of of activities as well. There are all the museums in Wade Oval which is practically on campus. There are usually events put on by campus groups every weekend. Movies are shown in one of the lecture halls on Friday and Saturday nights. Concerts at Severance Hall area a personal favorite of mine and the tickets are only 10 dollars for students.

Food and Dining

The dining halls are a hit and miss deal. Sometimes they have delicious food. Other times, not so much.

Dorm Life

Be careful of who you chose for roommates. They make or break your living situation. The dorms, otherwise, are fine. Nothing special, but definitely not a dump.

Academic Rigor

Work load is high and the classes are challenging, but not impossible. Hard work pays off in the end, but you really have to work at it.

Tips for prospective students

Case makes the transition to college easy because it the students and faculty are friendly and the campus set up is welcoming. Also, don't be afraid to apply to or join any job or group. Hesitation will get you nowhere. This campus has so many opportunities, but its up to you to take advantage of them.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a diverse school with a nicely spread out campus that has a small enough student population to make each student's education seem personalized. The university is focused on science and research. While at the university, you are surrounded by intelligent, experienced professors along with smart, innovative students.

Elanda from Fairview Park, OH

Security at Case is everywhere and responds very quickly and I would consider the campus to be very safe.

Greek Life

Greek Life is very widespread. There are 6 sororities and over 15 fraternities. Interesting fact: Greek Life students average a higher GPA than non Greek students.

Clubs and Activities

Has almost every club and activity I ever knew existed plus some I didn't know existed!

Great for these types of students

Students interested in science, medicine, nursing and research but Case also offers a world class business school.

Bang for the buck

Case is slightly pricey but the school gives scholarships and grants based on merit and academic achievement.

What to do for fun

Cleveland has many venues that are definitely worth checking out. Little Italy, Severance Hall, the Cleveland Museum of Art, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, all the sports arenas and downtown Cleveland are all very close to campus and great ways to spend a weekend.

Food and Dining

The dining halls were much better and healthier than I expected. The food was very good and the staff was courteous.

Dorm Life

The dorms are a tad old but I was able to make quite a few friends and enjoy myself with the amenities.

Academic Rigor

Very academically rigorous but the knowledge gained from the rigor is priceless.

Tips for prospective students

I would advise prospective students to be prepared to work hard. However, even with the academic rigor, there are many possibilities to make many new friends and explore the city of Cleveland.

In three sentences

Case Western is a school which is very focused on academic and research. It is quite academically rigorous but also very rewarding. Using Think Beyond the Possible as their motto, Case Western drives their students to achieve their goals even when in doubt.

Katherine from Cleveland, OH

07/21/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

42 of 67

Categories

Comments

What to do for fun

Weekends usually have fraternity or house parties. Just a bus ride to Coventry, a street with bars, restaurants, and stores. Uptown is on campus and is a block of restaurants, a bookstore, and a grocery store. Public transportation can take you downtown.

Food and Dining

Expensive, but it's all you can eat. Gets old after a while, but that's the case no matter where you go.

Dorm Life

Village is the nicest place on campus, but it's so expensive. Freshman and sophomore dorms are tiny, but at least everywhere is clean and on-campus housing provides cleaning services.

Academic Rigor

Depends on your major; BME = 5 stars, Psychology = 2 stars

Tips for prospective students

Take advantage of freshmen forgiveness; take classes you're interested in during your first year as you have the entire semester to drop/add classes as opposed to 2 weeks. Winter lasts about 6 months here!

Kellie from Washington Court House, Ohio

06/19/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

43 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

It is not the most safe campus around, but the school tries really hard to keep us all safe. Be smart, don't walk alone at night, and you should be fine! There is a safe ride service you can call at any time for a ride!

Greek Life

Greek life at Case is unlike any other. Throw all of your stereotypes out the window!

Clubs and Activities

There are countless clubs and activities on campus, and if Case doesn't have what you're looking for, you can easily create your own!

Great for these types of students

Case is great for students who are looking for a unique college experience on a fairly small campus. The environment facilitates learning and is a lot of fun!

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Little Italy is a historic district where many students live. It is one of my favorite places on campus! We also walk past Severence Hall, home of the famous Cleveland Orchestra, on the way to class every day.

Bang for the buck

You get an outstanding education, but the tuition is pretty steep.

What to do for fun

Join clubs on campus, attend sporting events, go to the museums on campus, go to Little Italy for dinner.

Food and Dining

The dining halls serve local foods that are very healthy, but there are options like pizza and burritos too. They have everything!

Dorm Life

Dorm living is one of my favorite parts of my college experience. You meet a lot of great people and learn about yourself.

Academic Rigor

The classes are challenging, which is great because you learn so much from each class, and you never feel like you are wasting your time.

Tips for prospective students

Make a lot of friends very quickly! College is much more fun when you have a lot of friends to share your experience with. Greek life on this campus is phenomenal.

In three sentences

Case's campus is very diverse. It has a strong academic atmosphere to facilitate learning from each other. Everyone is very encouraging and engaged.

Isabel from Cranston

06/11/2012

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

44 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

It's great for hard-working students who are certain that they want to major in the sciences. It is also great for pre-med students because Case has a deal with the hospitals where the hospitals must first choose interns from Case before looking at other school.s

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Before finals, Case has an event where the school hires masseurs and orders a lot of pizza. It is a like a study hall with free massages! There is also the rock which students paint and guard.

Bang for the buck

Case will give you a really good degree in science or math and is generally very well respected in the engineering community.

What to do for fun

Case has several events and many organizations and clubs to join. Cleveland is a medium-sized city that offers a lot though - the Hall of Rock and Roll, museums, and opera houses.

Food and Dining

One of the dining halls was just refurbished the other year and is very new. The food is good and has fairly large variety - pasta, salad, and sometimes multi-cultural food. There is also on-campus eateries where you can use Case-cash to buy food, ie. Panera Bread, Denny's, etc.

Dorm Life

Case is divided up into 4 different houses - Cedar, Juniper, Magnolia, and Mistletoe, and each house has 3 dorms. The houses focus on either: multi-culturism, community service, arts, or sustainability. Upperclassman are offered very nice apartments where you can choose your other 4 roommates. There is also a Greek life on campus.

Academic Rigor

The engineering program is very difficult and rigorous; the math and science courses are very trying and not for the light-hearted. Do not attend Case if you want to chill - be prepared to study fairly hard. However, you will still have free time, but not as much as at other schools. Also, instead of having a large variety of humanities/English courses, Case offers a SAGES course - a writing seminar for students.

Tips for prospective students

Again, Case is best for science/engineering majors; I don't recommend applying here if you intend on going into the liberal arts or changing your major from the liberal arts. Case was also very helpful with financial aid.

In three sentences

A beautiful college that is heavily focused on the science and math aspect of learning. While it does have a small liberal arts section, it is mainly for students who intend to major in engineering/science/math. The school also does its best to provide everything possible for its students and is very generous with its money.

Elliott from Skokie, IL

05/29/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

45 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

The campus is located mostly in University Circle, which is a very safe area but just east of campus is not so safe. to combat any people wandering on to campus from east Cleveland, there are a number of security guards what patrol 24/7 as well as emergency call buttons placed every 50 meters or so all around campus.

Greek Life

Case has a huge greek life with over 35% of the student body involved. The greek life is very well-run and provides a lot of advantages for students who decide to join. However, non-greeks are just as happy at this university for the students who decide greek life is not for them.

Clubs and Activities

Case has hundreds of clubs and sports teams. It's very easy to get involved on campus. All it takes is attending one meeting and you're in the club! We've got everything from ultimate frisbee club to chess club to Tai Kwon Doe club and much more in between.

Great for these types of students

Great for any type of student. ANY. Theres a scene for everyone at this university. Athletes, actors/actresses, musicians, kids who like to go out and have a good time every night and kids who would rather stay in and study. CWRU has a little bit of everything.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There are lots of events that happen on campus and places around campus to venture off to but none of them are very unusual.

Bang for the buck

Case is a very good university with a lot of perks but I don;t know if it's worth a total cost of over $55,000 a year. However, with any amount of scholarship or financial aid, the school is without a doubt worth the money. A degree from CWRU is worth more than a student can imagine with a university placement rating of above 90% across all majors.

What to do for fun

There are hundreds of organizations on campus to get involved in as well as several bars and restaurants just off campus on Euclid Ave. There is also Little Italy and Conventry Villiage both of which have lots of places to wander to and have a good time at.

Food and Dining

The food is good, especially for the first couple of months, after that it tends to get a little boring. There is a wide variety of things to et every day. Everything from salad to burgers, pizza, pasta and a home table that changes daily.

Dorm Life

The dorm life is very good. Some of the buildings need some basic things fixed up like windows, paint and a couple doors but for the most part, the dorms are very nice. All the people, including the employees, are very friendly. A student has no problem making friends.

Academic Rigor

The workload is incredibly rigorous, students do hours of homework every night. However, all the work has a purpose and if you do the proper homework, As and Bs are very achievable. The university has a reputation for being difficult for a reason.

Tips for prospective students

When you apply for housing, try to get into Mistletoe Residential College as opposed to Cedar or Juniper. The setup of the rooms and floors is oriented much better for meeting people. Also, try to find and order your books online as opposed to using the bookstore on campus. It is very overpriced.

In three sentences

Case Western Reserve University is a gem of a university in Cleveland, Ohio that goes undetected by a lot of people in the college search. It is an incredible university for Engineering, Nursing, Business, Law School and even Arts and Music.

Shelby from Dallas, PA

05/28/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

46 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

With an emergency call button visible from wherever you are on campus, several police stations in the immediate area ready to respond, and a Safe Ride program for students to call for rides at night, the campus is most likely the safest place in Cleveland. However, it IS Cleveland, so accidents can happen. Don't travel alone, especially at night, and utilize Safe Ride if you feel unsafe traveling back to your dorm at night.

Greek Life

About 30% of all the students at Case are Greek. There are 15 fraternities and 7 sororities, and all emphasize giving back to the community, the university, and the chapter. Fraternities do informal rush in the fall (a few BBQs and parties with fraternities you're interested in before a mutual decision is reached) and sororities do formal rush in the spring (four days of parties with less and less invitees and sororities until an invitation to join the sorority is given). However, this upcoming year a few of the sororities are thinking of switching to informal rush. Sigma Psi is definitely, and Alpha Chi Omega is all but sure, and others are still considering.

Clubs and Activities

If you can't find a club you like in the hundreds already offered (ranging from archery and fencing to humans vs zombies and ultimate frisbee), Case has a standing agreement with students: get a group together and apply to the school to become a club, and the school will not only make you official, but give you a grant!

Great for these types of students

Any! In the past, Case was known to be a nerd's school because of the rigorous curriculum and emphasis on the sciences and maths. However, since the university has more recently become spotlighted, there are students of every type walking around. It's impossible to find a niche of some kind here.

Bang for the buck

Great education, tons of things to do, good food, and people of all walks of life. This university is definitely one of the best.

What to do for fun

Apart from campus parties and activities (which are PLENTY), you can head downtown on the Healthline and enjoy the Tower City mall and Theater District (which includes a House of Blues that regularly schedules popular artists: Jay Sean, Joe Jonas, Tupac, Tyga, etc.). Or another short bus ride away is Legacy Village (a small, very nice shopping district), Target, and the even nicer Beachwood Mall. Take the 9 a short ways and you've got a Regal Cinemas and a Wal-Mart.

Food and Dining

For a college, Case has some of the best food-stops around. Included on your meal plan is Leutner (Northside, dining hall), L3 (Northside, grill), Fribley (Southside, dining hall), and the many Grab-Its scattered across campus for quick microwave meals on the go. These places (excluding Grab-It) serve your everyday hot dogs, burgers, pasta, pizza and fries, but they also serve stir-fry and other exotic options. Once a week, your meal plan will extend to a meal at the Jolly Scholar (mid-campus, pub), or Denny's (Northside). If this isn't enough for you, you can buy a meal with Case Cash or hard cash at the nearby Starbucks, Arabica Coffee House, Qdoba, Falafel, Chopsticks, Rascal's, Subway, Indian Flame, or Chipotle.

Dorm Life

Dorming is dorming no matter where you go, and it's never going to be perfect. You're probably used to having your own room, living on your own schedule, and now you're going to have to deal with another person and all their things. However, Case really does offer a lot in the way of making this transition easier. You choose your own roommate, for starters, and you choose your own room! Would you prefer traditional dorm-style with long, narrow halls or a quad-style dorm with five bedrooms facing each other in a intimate square? A narrow L-shaped room or a square? You decide what building, what room, who you live with, and even, if you get started early enough, your neighbors.

Academic Rigor

Case is a very challenging school - many students will tell you, It's Ivy League hard and Ivy League expensive - just not Ivy League certified. This is true to a degree: the classes are hard and the university is not cheap, but know that you will graduate with more experience, more confidence in your abilities than almost anywhere else. Not to mention that almost any professional in the medical and science fields knows of Case, so it really does look good on a resume for a first job out of school. However, if you hit the books, form a study group, ask questions when you don't understand, and pay attention in class, you'll do just fine.

Tips for prospective students

Bundle up, it's cold in winter! Study frequently; the material may seem easy the day you learn it but tests are generally four per semester (very few!) so there's lot of material covered. Speak up; whether it's a question in class or a potential study buddy, don't be afraid to ask! Don't take everything so hard; Case is all about learning for yourself. They won't kick you out if you're caught drinking underage or failing a class or two - they know you're an adult now and they're going to treat you like it, to an extent. So relax, explore, define yourself, and have fun!

In three sentences

Challenging programs, helpful staff and programs (including Student Instructors, a writing team of students ready to peer review your essays, and of course office hours with professors) and a beautiful campus composed of state-of-the-art facilities and historic buildings make this one of the best universities I visited this side of the country.

Nikhil from Fishers, IN

05/21/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

48 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

The campus police are really good at keeping students safe, but it's in a relatively bad area of Cleveland so every once in a while things do happen but students are almost never hurt in any way and the campus police do a good job following the cases up.

Greek Life

The Greed Life here is great. I am in a fraternity and it is the best decision I have made. It is extremely helpful because you get academic help from older students and you have a better social life. Our Greek Life tends to do better, on average, than the non-Greek community academically. We also do a lot of community service. And we always have a great time no matter what we're doing.

Clubs and Activities

There are plenty of clubs to get involved in if you choose to involve yourself in one of them. There are a wide variety of them, so it's not difficult to find whatever you may want to.

Great for these types of students

There isn't really anything that fits this description.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

There aren't really any of these, the only real tradition is students always study hard and they are always studying.

Bang for the buck

It's really expensive, and there isn't a whole lot going on. But it is a good experience and it will get you prepared for a career or more education.

What to do for fun

There isn't a whole lot, but there will be events going on across campus every once in a while and there are people who throw parties in there dorms or apartments or suites throughout campus on Friday and Saturday nights which you can attend if you know the right people and choose to attend. Also there isn't much to do throughout Cleveland.

Food and Dining

The food in the dining halls really isn't that good at all, and it's very repetitive so it gets really old really fast.

Dorm Life

The dorm life is pretty mediocre, usually you ca find a good number of people in your building or in neighboring buildings who you connect with. So, making friends tends to not really be too hard.

Academic Rigor

The academics here are really, really tough.

Tips for prospective students

Be prepared to study hard, even on a Friday or Saturday night. Be prepared to have to work hard to maintain a social life if you choose to have one.

In three sentences

Case is a really tough academic school. There is relatively little social life that takes place on campus because people are forced to spend a lot of time studying. Campus life in general is pretty mediocre.

Sophomore from WI

05/13/2012

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 4 people found this review useful.
49 of 67

Categories

Comments

Campus Safety

There are somewhere around 5 different police forces on campus, so officers are always present. At night, there is a Safe Ride escort service if you are feeling unsafe and want a ride back to your dorm.

Clubs and Activities

There is a club for nearly everything at Case: ballroom dancing, juggling, and any major or area of study. They are all very welcoming to interested students.

Great for these types of students

Students with a good work ethic who really want a top-notch education and a meaningful degree. People who always put studies first but make time to relax will do well here.

Bang for the buck

The cost of Case is about $55.000 yearly. This may seem like a lot, but they give out tons in scholarships and grants for deserving students. The degree and education you will get is definitely worth the cost of attendance.

What to do for fun

Case gets you a lot of free admission to local places, like museums and gardens. They also give you a bus pass so you have easy access to the city if you want to go out to eat or see a concert.

Food and Dining

The newly redone dining halls have a lot of locally grown food and the workers will always make or fetch something special for you if you have allergies or just a craving!

Dorm Life

You are required to live on campus the first two years. Freshman dorms are pretty old and it all depends on the noise level of the people on your floor. Sophomore dorms are nicer and have suite layouts.

Academic Rigor

The amount of work and the difficulty level of it are definitely up there, but they do an excellent job of getting you to really apply what you learn.

Tips for prospective students

Absolutely do not pick your major based on its popularity, salary, or what other people tell you to do. If you do, it will be nearly impossible to stick it out. When you are expected to work this hard, you really want to enjoy what you are studying.

In three sentences

The classes are definitely challenging, but if you study what you are interested in it feels much less like work and more like learning and growing. Also, the downside to having such brilliant professors is that some of them are not the best at explaining.

Rishe from Lancaster, CA

Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon.
Reviewer has been to campus.

50 of 67

Categories

Comments

Food and Dining

Food and dining is not bad at Case. There are plenty of options on and off campus to eat. If you do not want to eat on campus, Cleveland is just a half hour away on the bus.

Dorm Life

Dorm life as with any other college is a once in a life time experience. Case has a decent dorm life with chances to make plenty of new friends who are just as motivated as you are.

Academic Rigor

Excellent university if you really want to become somebody after you finish school. Their programs for engineering and medicine are especially strong with a good surrounding environment for both. Tough programs but worth it in the long run.

Jerod from Holt, MI

Very strong here. Apaartments are not a very good option so this is the way to get out of the dorm.

Great for these types of students

Engineeers thrive here

Bang for the buck

Very expensive.

What to do for fun

Cleveland is sortof a downer. Crime rate keeps things on campus but lots of traditional college stuff happening.

Food and Dining

Voted one of the best in the nation and well deserved.

Dorm Life

The freshman dorms are spartan. As you get more seniority your options for dorm living (almost a must at Case other than fraternities or sororities), your options of getting better acomodations increase dramatically.

Academic Rigor

Very intensive. As a pre-medical student I found I had little time beyond studying.

Tips for prospective students

Engineering and business programs are strong with lots of rich alumni avialble to sponsor internships.

In three sentences

This is primarily an Engineering school but offers a good pre-medical degree. There is strong alumni base that helps get internships for engineering students. The crime rate is high as we have had two students mugged from my dorm.

Anonymous

Although the neighborhood is dangerous, Case police do a decent enough job of keeping things safe for students. Just remember to always take some precautions.

Greek Life

Case's Greek Life is one of the best in the nation. They inspire even the people who come in hating Greeks to join.

Clubs and Activities

Case offers a very wide variety of student organizations for how small the campus is.

Great for these types of students

Smart, dedicated, know what they want to do.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Case police are very friendly with students, and will likely not get any student in trouble, even if they catch you doing very illegal activities. They are more concerned with protecting the student body from the criminals of the surrounding area.

Bang for the buck

Case is very expensive. The opportunities, however, live up to what you are paying.

What to do for fun

Case is surrounded by museums, which are always fun to visit. You can also take the Cleveland RTA, which is paid for in tuition, to see things in downtown Cleveland.

Food and Dining

The dining halls offer spectacular food.

Dorm Life

The dorms aren't the nicest in the world, but they offer a great opportunity to bond with your floor mates and create a decent enough social experience.

Academic Rigor

Case is a very academically challenging school. Nevertheless, the caliber of students who apply tend to be able to handle it.

Tips for prospective students

Case is a great school if you like a somewhat small student environment. You tend to recognize faces after a short time, but its big enough that not everyone can know everyone. Make sure you have an idea of what you want to do before coming to Case.

In three sentences

Case Western is a fantastic science and engineering school. It's location in Cleveland seems unappealing, but the campus has a way of setting itself apart from its surroundings. Case gives its students great opportunities for success.

Adriana, define from

very different from most campus greek life, hard to explain, but if you attend you'll see.

Clubs and Activities

so many clubs and activities and they're all awesome.

Food and Dining

food isn't horrible either, i just think it gets tiring having mostly the same choices after first semester.

Dorm Life

not horrible, it's actually pretty decent. my suggestion is not to live in mistletoe till after the dorms have been renovated though.

Tips for prospective students

this is a hardcore math and science school, seriously work at it if you plan to come here.

In three sentences

the course work is very challenging, and if you were one of those kids in high school that got perfect scores doing nothing, expect a reality check. everyone here is pretty interesting and welcoming, and the dorms aren't bad either. good academic assistance, but the weather is bipolar.

AH

-Go out and meet the people on your floor. -Be prepared to study hard -Invest in some good weather-appropriate clothing

Bang for the buck

It's expensive, but they have quite a few merit scholarships and workstudy opportunities.

Am enjoying being here

The weather is a little dreary, but the people are amazing. You'll find people who share your interests, but you'll also find people who will drag you into sharing theirs...And you'll find yourself enjoying the weirdest things.

Am learning a lot

There are so many different classes, it's actually rather hard to choose which electives to take. The classes are academically challenging and rigorous, but there are so many people who want and will help you to succeed.

Abigail from Brook Park, OH

07/30/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

56 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Case is mainly a nursing, medical, and engineering school so it is great for those types of majors and that is mainly what it is known for. I also think it is great for the arts though since it is right in University Circle where there are art museums and history museums as well as Severance Hall.

Tips for prospective students

Make sure you look for tons of scholarships and figure out your financial aid stuff early! If you plan on attending, keep searching for scholarships constantly that way the finances will not be a stressful burden on your family.

Bang for the buck

It is a very expensive school but I think that it is worth all of the loans I am taking out because of the location right in University Circle. I would eventually like a job there someday so that is why I chose Case, because of its location and ties to its community.

Am enjoying being here

This diversity on campus is awesome and there are so many interesting people to meet! I loved being at orientation and hanging out with other people from around the country. The campus is also really cool since it is right outside the city of Cleveland but it almost feels like its own little community.

Academic Rigor

I just went to orientation and I already have learned so much! I am excited to go back in a couple weeks and start actually classes. I am sure I am going to learn a lot more when I am in my classes too just from meeting some of the professors!

Winter is coming Make sure you bring a winter coat and snowboots because the lovely Cleveland winters will surely come. Also, don't head in to Case making the assumption that you are the smartest person in the world. (We already have enough of those sorts)

Bang for the buck

Sure, CWRU is a pricy private school. However, with the amount of financial aid and merit scholarship available, the price of attendance is easily offset. You will get your moneys worth.

Am enjoying being here

Case is a wonderful place and will blow your mind if you give it a chance. Cleveland is home to many delicious dining establishments and a thriving music scene. LeBron may be gone but that doesn't mean Cleveland is dead. Trust me.

Am learning a lot

Regardless of what you come into Case to learn, you will learn above and beyond what you ever expected from a college classroom. The classes are all very informative and challenging. I've yet to have a class where I did not enjoy some part of it (even if it was just my Calculus professor's sick beard.)

A Girl from Northern VA

Highly motivated. You're a Case kid if you never had to study in high school, or if you studied all the time because you loved it. Either way, you learn quick once you get here.

Tips for prospective students

Bring a coat and rainboots and snowboots. Make friends with someone who has a car.

Bang for the buck

I'm paying to learn things, and I'm certainly learning things.

Am enjoying being here

The social scene is practically nonexistent, there aren't enough restaurants around or things to do, and Cleveland is sketchy (so is its weather.) But the dorms are nice, the food's alright, and the school is small enough that you recognize most of the people in your classes by junior year, which is quite nice. Overall, it could be better, but it could be way worse.

Am learning a lot

Classes at Case are very challenging and the workload is very heavy. But you certainly learn as much as you'd hope considering how much you're paying!

Evan

07/07/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

2 out of 2 people found this review useful.
59 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

I was surprised how large the gaming community is on Case. It's definitely great for them, but Case is all encompassing. No matter what you're into, you can find other people who do it. The common connection between every individual is that they're all very intelligent and motivated.

Tips for prospective students

The best tip I can give is this: remember why you're going to college. By that I mean you're here to learn. In fact, you're paying anywhere from 20 to 50k to learn. You need to put nearly all your effort into studying and making connections inside the departments. Partying and having fun is not a problem. But think of it this way. Is your future boss going to appreciate you more for how much fun you can have or for how hard you can work? And please remember to be a respectful roommate. When you have to share your only place to stay on campus with another person, it makes life a lot harder if there isn't mutual respect between the two people.

Bang for the buck

Case is very expensive, but you really do get what you pay for when it comes to research opportunities. The classes themselves are not worth the money, but when you get the opportunity to work with graduate students over the summer in a lab geared towards your field, it all seems worth it.

Am enjoying being here

I enjoy being at Case more than anywhere else because I have the opportunity to converse with very intelligent people (both professors and students). It has an extremely intellectually stimulating atmosphere.

Am learning a lot

I have learned more in one year at case then my entire high school career. and that's not cause my high was below par. If you dedicate yourself to studying hard, you will learn tremendous amounts of information.

Sarah from MEDINA, OH

06/30/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

9 out of 9 people found this review useful.
60 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Case is a great school for anyone, but I feel that those students who are going to school to prepare for grad school will especially thrive. Case is a great foundation school when considering continuing onto law school or medial school. Also, students that love city life, but find New York or Chicago to overwhelming will love what Cleveland has to offer as an academic setting.

Tips for prospective students

If you are planning to attend Case Western Reserve University be prepared to spend most nights staying in and studying. Being a student here demands tremendous time management skills, as well as knowing how to study. Tips for future students include learning your best study techniques before you actually attend, not only this university, but any college. This will help you so much in the long run so you won't be spending your first semester fumbling through you classes because you never learned what study habits work best for you. Another tip; join any club you can. This is a great way to meet new people outside of your dorm and your major. Its a great way to learn how to network as well.

Bang for the buck

Case is a private institution, with this years grand total adding up to about $55, 000 if you choose to live on campus. However, don't let this staggering number effect your decision to apply to Case. Case gives out huge amounts of financial aid to help those that need it, making this fantastic institution available to everyone. The money spent here will be worth it in the long run. You'll come out with a fantastic education from a university that has an upstanding reputation for producing some of the country's top engineers and nurses along with many other professional candidates.

Am enjoying being here

I love Case's campus life! Case is located in University Circle in Cleveand, Ohio. There is a younger vibe around campus from little Italy to Coventry. Getting around campus as well as getting off campus is so easy and accessible given the many modes of transportation around and off campus including Case's 'greenie' system (buses), the RTA buses that run regularly around Cleveland as well as the Rapid train station. There are countless groups on campus that get you involved and help you meet new people, so it's not just all studying. I love walking through campus. There is the college campus feel mixed in with the rush of the surrounding city, which makes for a very satisfying effect of being an individual.

Am learning a lot

Case's classes are challenging, and you definitely have to put in your fair share of work and studying, but if you're committed to learning, it's nothing you cant't handle. Unless you're taking a pre-med requirement or an engineering prerequisite, the classes tend to be on the smaller side and there is a lot of opportunity for one on one time with professors and TA's. All are very helpful and are willing to meet with you after class or schedule a meeting to discuss any further questions you might have about class. The material is accessible so you're not completely in over your head.

Christy from Boise, ID

03/11/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

6 out of 7 people found this review useful.
62 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Most of the students here are high achievers and have strong intrinsic motivation. We've got a place for the nerdy and geeky, but there are also a large number of performance-based groups and community service organizations. If you're looking to get everything possible out of your college experience - even if it means starting an organization - look into coming to CWRU.

Tips for prospective students

Do your research. CWRU excels in the sciences, especially with the research and internship opportunities offered by the school and nearby hospitals. A lot of the students here are planning on careers in engineering or the medical fields, so that should send up some flags if you're an English major. The breadth is great for exploring, but make sure CWRU has strong programs in what you're interested in pursuing.

Bang for the buck

The biggest thing that I've found here at CWRU that none of my other prospective colleges offered is the comprehensive support network they've established. There are people and groups waiting to give you advice and strategies for any part of the college experience and the life changes that accompany it. Although the school is primarily focused on the sciences, the wide range of classes and clubs lets you easily explore interests in almost any discipline. And even though it does come with a fairly large price tag, there are plenty of scholarships available through the school to help cover it.

Am enjoying being here

You will hear some people on campus complaining about the school, but if you dedicate yourself to taking advantage of all it has to offer there should be nothing to complain about. The opportunities for academics, extra-curricular activities, and community service are so abundant that most freshmen have trouble deciding how to limit their involvement. There's always something going on around campus - you just have to find the time to go.

Am learning a lot

The classes here at CWRU are absolutely amazing. Even in the classes that the majority of the freshman class are taking at the same time (CHEM 105/106, BIOL 214), the good professors make an effort to stay available and make sure you understand the material. The CHEM 105/106 professor even gives out his cell phone number so that you can text him questions during class or any time afterwards! A lot of the larger classes are also recorded by MediaVision, which means that you can re-watch the lectures online. If you're willing to apply yourself, there are always resources available to help you get the most out of your time here.

PF from Cleveland, OH

01/01/2011

Reviewer is A current student here.

8 out of 9 people found this review useful.
63 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

This school is great for student who enjoy cold climates. Cleveland receives tons of snow from November to April. Students who are interested in Medicine, Art, Music, and Engineering will find a home at CWRU.

Tips for prospective students

Prospective students should consider the type of school they wish to attend. CWRU is unique in that the graduate school is larger than the undergraduate school. This means there is usually a lot of opportunity to complete research and attend graduate schools. The biggest help, is to perform well in high school and research the many schools you are interested in.

Bang for the buck

CWRU is an expensive university. It is a private institution. However, from what I've heard in comparison the university does have good services for students especially in research and job attainment. Furthermore, there are many student affair's divisions for active participation such as the office of multicultural affairs, career center, or women's center.

Am enjoying being here

Cleveland has a lot of culture to offer students visiting. The campus is located within 'University Circle' the locations of the Art Museum and Natural History Museum. Little Italy is a short 2 minute walk east. The Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are located nearby. There is easy transportation downtown to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, House of Blues, and Tower City... along with connections to all the sports stadiums (MLB, NBA, and NFL teams).

Am learning a lot

CWRU has a rigorous schedule especially for engineer and science majors. The university has no restrictive policy on taking course work in outer colleges (a student in the engineering school could take a arts and science course). The professors are experienced in the subjects they teach either through trade or research.

Erica from Delaware, OH

10/14/2010

Reviewer is A current student here.

4 out of 6 people found this review useful.
64 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Great for students that enjoy labs, at least so far. I have found the labs to really add to my classes. Case seems to have a wide variety of students which makes it a good place for many people to feel like they belong.

Tips for prospective students

Go to class, the teachers normally have very good thoughts to share that make the topic make sense. Also don't wait until the last minute to do your homework, no matter what college you go to.

Bang for the buck

Case is a bit expensive but a lot of the student body receives scholarships or other financial aid to compensate the cost. The classes are really nice though so I think it is worth it.

Am enjoying being here

Its nice, I have found a lot of very friendly people, the campus is nice to look at and the teachers are easy to talk to.

Am learning a lot

The teachers here are really clear about the topic and I have found them very helpful when I have questions

Make a list of what you look for in a school. The weather in Cleveland is very cold and windy during the winter which can make it difficult to motivate yourself to go to class at times. The education is great but the social life can be slower than a lot of other schools as a result of the workload.

Bang for the buck

My financial aid package was much better than what other schools were offering me. They do their best to make it as affordable as possible. The education is one of the best and there are opportunities everywhere.

Am enjoying being here

I have met many people with the same interests as me both academically and socially. Everybody works together to accomplish their goals. I have joined Greek life and enjoyed it tremendously. My biggest complaint is the weather.

Am learning a lot

This school presents academic challenges that I feel other schools do not offer. I have been pushed to learn the most I possibly can and also to be able to apply that knowledge.

Brittany from Macungie, PA

12/27/2009

Reviewer is A current student here.

15 out of 16 people found this review useful.
66 of 67

Categories

Comments

Great for these types of students

Students who thrive in an academic environment. If you are content discussing pokemon and star trek for hours, then you will fit right in. If you want to party with friends, then you will also fit in. However, you might have to limit yourself to one night during the weekends, and do work during the other.

Tips for prospective students

Don't be afraid to check out Case Greek life. It doesn't fit the normal stereotype, and you will meet a lot of great friends. Go to the book swap for super cheap used textbooks. AND develop time management skills early freshman year. If your GPA starts high, then you never have to pull it back up.

Bang for the buck

I'm sure you know that Case is expensive, but they are also very generous with scholarships. However, keep in mind that all merit-based scholarships are GPA dependent, and you will have to earn your 3.0. Also, your admission application (common app) is the scholarship application, so you might as well apply!

Am enjoying being here

Case has become a second (or first) home to me. Despite the amount of work, students do still have fun. And, even if we are working on a problem set together, the pain is negated by how much I enjoy working with my wonderful friends.

Am learning a lot

You will definitely work harder than you ever did in high school, but at the end of every class, you will also know that you actually learned something. Everyone at Case is very focused on their career goals, and the coursework teaches you exactly what you will need to achieve those goals.

Cappex is the company behind CollegeGreenlight.com.

College Greenlight is a service provided by Cappex.com, a leading college search website that has relationships with hundreds of colleges nationwide and years of experience helping millions of students achieve their college dreams.